Extra Early Outing

Sit

1st 2:  interesting morning light

We had to get on the trail really early this morning because a worker from Sun City Plumbing was coming to our place to get our cooler set up for the coming hot months.

We did our usual trek, spotting the Basset people and their hounds hiking along the ridge to the east of us.  Seems they got an early start, too.

The Sun City guy was supposed to show up between 8:30 and 11:30, but when we were driving home after our hike at 8:00 I got a text saying he was on his way.

We made it back in plenty of time to greet him.

Clouds over the Organs

Clouds to the southwest

Soaptree and the mountains

Across the desert to the flank of Tortugas

Tortugas and the Organs

More clouds over the desert

Willow, Dr. K and the photographer's shadow

Barrel and prickly pear

Prickly Pear

Cactus Wren

More clouds

Coin of the realm

Way up in the right branch arroyo

How's this for camouflage?

Ocotillo and clouds

In the right branch

Prickly Pear

The rest:  Bunny Ears flowers

 

Friday's Bushwhack

Cactulabra

We got an early start on our hike this morning, Dr. K, Willow and I following our usual route across to the left branch arroyo.  From there we bushwhacked over to the base of 4210 hill and climbed it when we noticed that Mrs. and Mr. Swainsy were not on their nest.

After Willow scanned the territory from the crest for a bit we were ready to descend the northwest slope; that's when Dr. K spotted a Swainson's Hawk sitting atop the stalk of a Soaptree Yucca down below.  Wanting to get some pics of the raptor I suggested we approach it when we reached the base.

I was able to get a few fairly decent images without getting too near the hawk; the last thing I want to do whenever I see these beautiful creatures is force them to fly away.  This one stay perched in the same spot long after we stopped for me to take photos.

Willow at rest

No Swainson's Hawks near the nest

This & next 4:  Dr. K spotted Swainsy below 4210 hill

Soaptree with new stalks

Walk like an Egyptian

Prickly Pear

 

Very Early Solo with Wils

Headed down LDR-A

Because I had to drive Dr. K across town for an eye exam at 9 this morning Willow and I hit the trail at 7.  It was 55F and felt a bit chilly; but we loved it.

Did our regular hike and only saw other outdoor enthusiasts when we were getting back into the CR-V after the trek; that's when we spotted the Basset people and their hounds walking eastward along Tellbrook Road.

Soaptrees, Prickly Pear and the mountains

Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  White-winged Dove

Mesquite

Willow, break #1

From here to the flank of Tortugas Mountain

Tracking my package

Willow, break #2

Desert flora

Willow, break #3

Soaptree putting up new stalks

Willow, break #4

 

Midweek Trek

1st 11 images:  Swainson's Hawk atop Torrey Yucca

We did our normal hike this morning, adding extra distance by bushwhacking over toward 4210 hill in order for me to take some photos of the Swainson's Hawk atop its favorite Torrey Yucca.  As you can see I took quite a lot of pics.

Later Dr. K and I saw the hawk take off from the yucca, soon replaced by another--presumably the mama.  Papa then went out to hunt for breakfast.  Willow didn't seem the least bit interested in the comings-and-goings of the raptors.

When we first started our trek today we saw the Basset people and their hounds down by the Tellbrook Arroyo.  Several of the hounds left fresh deposits in their wake, and Willow was supremely interested in what was left behind from their behinds.

This & next:  Willow on alert and at rest

Ancient Soaptree Yucca

Papa Swainsy hunting

Prickly Pear

This & next:  Mama Swainsy tending the nest

Ancient Soaptree

This & next:  young Soaptree sending up new stalks

Tripartite Soaptree in the left branch arroyo